A Beginning
May 13th, 2020
Starring: Particle 1 & Particle 2
Blank. Nothing. Empty. Possibly cavernous.
Particle 2 stands, as if it’s waiting for the bus that’s not coming.
Particle 1 enters. They stand a few feet away, as if they’re also waiting for the bus.
PARTICLE 1
Waiting long?
PARTICLE 2
Me?
Oh, no.
PARTICLE 1
Good.
…
It also depends on how you define long.
PARTICLE 2 (not paying attention)
Hm?
PARTICLE 1
I said it also depends on how you define long.
PARTICLE 2
It hasn't been. Not for me, anyways.
PARTICLE 1
Good.
…
Do I know you from somewhere? Have we met?
PARTICLE 2
I’ve never met anyone in my life.
PARTICLE 1
Me neither.
But I feel like I know you. Like something brought us together, right here.
PARTICLE 2
That’s a very strong way to come off.
PARTICLE 1
I’m only looking to bond.
PARTICLE 2
I’m not.
PARTICLE 1
And I respect that.
…
PARTICLE 2
I apologize. I’m repellant. It’s who I am.
PARTICLE 1
Apology accepted.
…
Is there any chance you’d like to...er
bang?
PARTICLE 2
Bang?
…
I’ve never banged anyone before.
PARTICLE 1
Me neither.
But I figured...while there’s two us...despite our differences...there’s no time like the present.
Ugh.
That made me feel icky.
Forget I ever said that bye—
PARTICLE 2
No. You’re right.
I think...I think I have been waiting long.
I’ve been waiting for something that’s never coming.
Maybe…you’ve been what I’m waiting for.
PARTICLE 1
Maybe.
PARTICLE 2
But we can’t know unless…
PARTICLE 1
We try.
PARTICLE 2
…
Okay. Sooo how do we do this?
PARTICLE 1
I don’t know.
I guess we just...kind of…
They both awkwardly approach the other, taking cues off the other. Right before touching, they take a step back. They keep stepping back until they’re on completely other ends of the stage. When the moment is right, they run towards each other, jumping into the air.
An enormous chest bump:
PARTICLE 1 & 2
BANG!
They land on the ground. They catch their breath. They look at the other.
PARTICLE 1
Did we do it right?
PARTICLE 2
I...I don’t know.
How was it for you?
PARTICLE 1
er...great.
You?
PARTICLE 2
Yeah um...also great.
They stand there, acknowledging that they just did it.
PARTICLE 1
Well. I should probably go—
PARTICLE 2
Yes, same here—
PARTICLE 1
It was nice meeting you.
PARTICLE 2
Nice meeting you too.
I’ll see you around, I guess.
PARTICLE 1
I hope so.
They share one last moment, and go their separate ways.
Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra” plays.
The world begins.